Olisa Metuh
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, on Thursday, mounted July 11 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by Olisa Metuh, who's accused of destruction of proof.
Metuh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in January 2015 on two expenses bordering on alleged destruction of proof.
The case, which was earlier than Justice Ishaq Bello, was adjourned till July 11, with consent of counsel because the court docket didn't sit.
The case was earlier adjourned till May 31 for ruling on the no-case submission.
Metuh’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had. on October 10, 2017, instructed the court docket that they might enter a no-case submission on the shut of the prosecution’s case.
Arguing the no-case submission, Ikpeazu had instructed the court docket that the prosecution had not established any case to warrant the defendant to be referred to as to enter his defence.
He stated that the appliance was in pursuant to the provisions of sections 302 and 357 of ACJA.
The counsel also said that the defendant had a constitutional liberty and couldn't be prosecuted the place he both refused to make an assertion or withdraw any a part of his writing in the middle of making an assertion.
Ikpeazu stated that the defendant additionally had a proper to cancel any a part of his assertion voluntarily.
He reminded the court docket that the cost by EFCC was that Metuh destroyed his assertion and obstructed EFCC officers by willfully tearing his assertion.
Ikpeazu argued that a piece of paper not signed didn't qualify as an assertion by the defendant, and urged the court docket to discharge and acquit the defendant.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court docket to ascertain whether or not or not a prima facie case had been made towards the defendant
Tahir also said that cancellation was totally different from tearing, which was obstruction; and prayed the court docket to name upon the defendant to enter his defence.